Late August, and as summer slides into autumn, the land around Baikal begins its transformation. Soft and rotting wood sprouts fast-growing fungus. The damp underbelly of the forest comes alive. Cowberries and blueberries fatten up. And it's harvest time.

 

Though chipmunks live on the ground, they depend on the Siberian pines. While one stuffs its cheek pouches, another waits its chance. In the cutthroat world of pine nut gathering, it's winner takes all. Before the snow falls, the chipmunks must collect enough seeds and nuts to last the long winter. Each would amass about 4 kilos of food at its den, carried there cheek load by cheek load. It takes a lot of effort, especially with competitors watching every move.